HORACE STEVENS (Baritone)
THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOHN ANSELL
Homage March is the third movement of a Suite which Grieg made from the music he composed for the drama by Bjernson, Sigurd Jorsalfar , an old Norse tale of the Crusades. Two Kings, brothers, reigned over different parts of Norway in bitter rivalry and enmity with one another. But at the end they become reconciled and together make their way in solemn procession to the Temple of Law-Giving, to dedicate themselves to the service of their country, and their passing is acclaimed by the joyous shouts of the people. This march is the music which, in the play, accompanics their procession.
MASSENET, whose fund of fresh, flowing melody was apparently inexhaustible, could afford to be lavish with his tuneful ideas. He certainly never gives his hearers the impression, as some composers do, that, having had an inspiration, they wish to mdke the utmost use of it before leaving it and turning to something else. Where many composers would be content to give us repetitions or variations, Massenet, with generous hand, throws us ever new, and always fresh, tunes.
That is as true of this sparkling divertissement for orchestra as of many of his better-known works for the stage and for the concert platform. It begins with a vigorous introduction which makes way soon for a flowing tune on the violins. Charming and delicate, it forms an admirable foil to the energy of the opening with which it is more than once interchanged before the clarinet gives us another and no less melodious theme. Woodwinds and strings together have the next broad melody, to be played, as Massenet often directs, ' Bien chante,' (finely sung). It is as apt a description as could well be devised of the qualities which make his tunes so popular as they are.
The piece is in one continuous movement and in the same metre—three in the bar, until at the very end a swift two in the bar brings it to its brilliant close.